NFL Players: 25 Best Athletes

Men's Fitness ranks the top football players in our 25 season preview.

Tim Tebow - QB New York Jets The first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy was scrutinized by a nation as he scrambled to find his feet in the pros with the Denver Broncos. Tebow’s new role as the Jets’ backup quarterback should provide the fire he needs to rise again as a dominant double-threat QB.

Tim Tebow - QB New York JetsThe first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy was scrutinized by a nation as he scrambled to find his feet in the pros with the Denver Broncos. Tebow’s new role as the Jets’ backup quarterback should provide the fire he needs to rise again as a dominant double-threat QB.

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Drew Brees - QB New Orleans SaintsThe highest-paid man in the NFL threw for a career-high 5,476 total passing yards last season—up from 4,620 in 2010 and 4,388 the year before—breaking Dan Marino’s 28-year-old, single-season record in the process and taking a big step toward Hall of Fame territory.

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Victor Cruz - WR New York GiantsAn inspiring sign of things to come, Cruz’s first full season in the NFL was peppered with highlights, including a pivotal 74-yard touchdown catch and run against Dallas to help claim the NFC East title for New York.

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Larry Fitzgerald - WR Arizona CardinalsAfter the Cardinals’ all-time receptions leader broke the 1,000 receiving-yard mark for the fourth season in a row, last year’s eight-year, $120 million contract was hardly a surprise. Fitzgerald has since extended his consecutive run to five.

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Donald Driver - WR Green Bay PackersWith 698 receptions—the most in Packers history—and a 7′6″ collegiate high jump that could have earned him a spot in the Sydney 2000 Olympics (he qualified for the trials), the most recent winner of Dancing with the Stars is running out of ways to show off his athleticism.

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Patrick Willis - LB San Francisco 49ersWidely regarded as the best inside linebacker in the NFL today, Willis, who has starred in every Pro Bowl since he joined the league, led the 49ers defense as it didn’t allow a rushing touchdown for 16 straight games last season, obliterating the previous record of 13 games set by the 1920 Decatur Staleys.

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Troy Polamalu - S Pittsburgh SteelersWhen Sports illustrated named Polamalu as one of the top-15 dirtiest players in the NFL, it wasn’t talking about his iconic hair—which Polamalu claims he hasn’t cut in almost a decade. The four-time All Pro, who started all 16 games last season, will simply do whatever it takes to get gloves on the ball.

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Clay Matthews - LB Green Bay PackersHis last season might remind you more of an adult diaper ad than, well, his adult diaper ad, but there’s arguably nobody with more power and muscle on the field than Clay—expect him to be back in top form this year.

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Vernon Davis - TE San Francisco 49ersDavis was the only major threat for the 49ers in the postseason and that was ­almost enough to earn a Super Bowl berth. The 28-year-old is a workhorse, too, and hasn’t missed a game since 2007.

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Jason Pierre-Paul- DE New York GiantsLast year, in his second season as a Giant, the “Haitian Sensation,” or simply “JPP,” became the first player in NFL history to record a sack, forced fumble, and blocked field goal in a single game.

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Wes Welker-Paul- WR New England PatriotsHairpiece aside, he’s one of the best ­receivers in the game, catching more passes since 2007 than any other player in the league.

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Steven Jackson-Paul- RB St. Louis Rams He is the NFL’s active rushing attempts leader and a nine-year veteran of the league, and has amassed more than 12,000 total yards throughout his career—enough said.

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LaRon Landry- S New York Jets Landry almost didn’t make it to this season with the injury he sustained to his Achilles tendon. Now with the Jets, he’s got something to prove, and anyone named Iron Man with something to prove is someone to watch out for.

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DeMarcus Ware- LB/DE Dallas Cowboys Having never missed a single game in his seven-year career, Ware, who turned 30 this year, will take on a stronger leadership role in 2012 in an attempt to lead the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.

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Adrian Peterson- RB Minnesota VikingsThree months after signing a seven-year, $96 million deal with the Vikings in 2011, Peterson tore his ACL and MCL, sidelining him indefinitely. But if anyone can bounce back quickly, it’s Peterson, who lives off-seasons in the gym.

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Rob Gronkowski- TE New England PatriotsThat TD catch in the Patriots’ 2011 opener against the Dolphins couldn’t have been more foreshadowing. His 18 touchdowns and 1,327 yards set several records, including single-season marks for most receiving touchdowns (17), total touchdowns, and receiving yards for a tight end. He also became the first tight end in NFL history to lead the league in receiving touchdowns for an entire season.

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Chris Johnson- RB Tennessee TitansOffensive Player of the Year and NFL rushing title holder with 2,006 yards in 2009, three-time Pro Bowler Chris Johnson is poised to bounce back from his 2011 season and start breaking records again.

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Calvin Johnson- WR Detroit LionsMore than just the guy on the box of Madden NFL 13, Johnson is the highest-paid receiver in the league for a lot of reasons: He’s last year’s receiving-yards leader, he’s racked up 5,872 career receiving yards, and he’s got one of the coolest nicknames in the league—Megatron.

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Brian Orakpo- LB Washington RedskinsWith the nickname Workout Warrior, you knew Brian had to be on our list—his 39.5-inch vertical jump, coupled with a one-rep bench max of 515 pounds, and a 380-pound power clean, means he’s all power and agility.

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Reggie Bush- RB Miami DolphinsSay what you want about his taste in women, Reggie Bush is ready to reclaim his spot as one of the elite in the NFL. This year, this ex–­Heisman Trophy winner will be a lot less media circus and a whole lot more impact on the field.

Maurice Jones-Drew- RB Jacksonville JaguarsHe led the NFL in rushing in 2011, and 2012 will likely see similar success. He’s also ranked on NFL Network’s top 100 for 2012, so expect big things this season if he agrees to terms with the Jaguars.

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Cam Newton- QB Carolina PanthersOne of the standout performers of 2011 (Rookie of the Year awards from AP, Pepsi, and the Sporting News), Cam Newton could well be one of the best quarterbacks we’ll ever see if he continues the pace he set last year.

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Chad Johnson- WR free agent (at press time)This Pro Bowler has been quiet on the field—but not in social media, (named the most influential athlete by CNBC). After an incident with his wife, however, he’ll be tweeting from the sidelines. This could have been his year!

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Marques Colston- WR New Orleans SaintsAs one of the Saints’ top performers in the latter half of the season, as well as Drew Brees’ go-to guy, Colston is poised for a fourth-straight season with 1,000 receiving yards.